KATRA: To assess security and operational preparedness of Shrine area for hassle-free pilgrimage, Chief Executive Officer, Anshul Garg today presided over a joint security review meeting with security agencies and other stakeholders at Central Office, Katra. The meeting was attended by Addl. Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; SSP, Reasi; Commandant, CRPF; Jt. Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; SP, Katra; Sub Divisional Magistrate, Katra; Tehsildar, SMVDSB and officers from Army, intelligence agencies and Shrine Board.
The CEO stressed that the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) coming up at Katra must be operationalized by the first week of May to ensure pilgrim safety and facilitate smooth yatra regulation. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the timeline, highlighting that a robust security grid across all key sectors of the shrine relies on the timely activation of the ICCC as this center will enable real-time monitoring, swift response to emergencies and effective coordination among security agencies through a network of 700 CCTV cameras with features like gesture recognition, face recognition, PTZ and such others as per operational requirements. The CEO urged all concerned quarters to strictly follow the deadline to ensure a safe and secure yatra.
Intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies also remained key focus areas. The meeting highlighted the need for seamless communication and data exchange to prevent security breaches. Strategies to verify the credentials of Pithoo and Ponywallas to prevent impersonation and ensure their legitimate involvement were also discussed to ensure a secure pilgrimage experience.
The meeting also explored deployment of additional security personnel, area domination and the use of drones and other advanced technologies to monitor the Shrine and surrounding areas. The latest advancements in security scenarios including AI-powered surveillance systems and data analytics were also discussed. The meeting emphasized the importance of staying ahead of potential security threats by adopting cutting-edge technologies and best practices.
The CEO reiterated the importance of effectively utilizing advanced security equipments crucial for maintaining robust security measures provided to security agencies as per the Hon'ble Chairman's (Lt. Governor, JK-UT) directives to ensure a safe environment for pilgrims. These equipments include X-Ray Baggage Scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors, Hand-Held Metal Detectors and Under Vehicle Search Mirrors recently procured and installed by the Board in the Shrine area.
Geo-fencing technology to enhance security in the Shrine area was also discussed for optimizing resources and improving shrine management. The CEO emphasized that security agencies must maintain zero tolerance and not allow any relaxation or leniency in security checks at all points, ensuring strict adherence to protocols to guarantee the safety and security of pilgrims visiting the Shrine. It was informed by SSP Reasi that FIRs have been registered against unauthorized personnel caught plying as service providers on the track and continuous inspections are underway.
The meeting also thoroughly discussed the peripheral security of Katra town, focusing on strategies to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and implement effective access control to ensure a secure environment for pilgrims.
JAMMU: School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM), University of Jammu, organized a two-day workshop on Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Meta-Analysis under the Research Knowledge Series “अनुसंधान ज्ञान श्रृंखला”. The workshop saw the enthusiastic participation of 32 research scholars from various departments of the University of Jammu, Central University of Jammu, SMVDU and higher education institutions from Punjab and Haryana.
Prof. Alka Sharma, Dean Faculty of Business Studies in her inaugural address commended the efforts of SHTM in consistently promoting a culture of research and academic excellence. She highlighted the growing relevance of modern research tools such as SLR and meta-analysis in generating credible and impactful academic output.
Prof Anil Gupta, Director, SHTM in his welcome address shared that the department under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai has started the Research Knowledge Series “अनुसंधान ज्ञान श्रृंखला” which will aim to enhance the research competence of faculty members and research scholars in interdisciplinary mode.
Prof Jaspreet Kour, the key resource person from New Delhi delved into the issues of qualitative research, systematic literature review frameworks, mixed method approaches, sentiment analysis, and classification of social media data analysis.
Prof Gurjeet Kaur, Head, Department of Commerce also shared her perspective on contemporary trends in publishing. Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas in his message also said that SHTM is committed to excel in the area of research at global level. Dr. Suvidha Khanna, Associate Professor, SHTM presented the formal vote of thanks. The workshop has been coordinated by faculty members Dr. Nikita Dogra, Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Dr. Poonam Sharma, Dr. Honeyka, Tapas Tandon and Taniya. The inaugural session was conducted by Ms. Aseesdeep Kour.
RAMBAN: The District Administration Ramban, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, has stepped up restoration works and relief measures in all flash flood affected areas. The administration is prioritizing the provision of essential supplies and the restoration of link roads to ensure the swift recovery of the region.
The DC, along with SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hamid, monitored traffic regulations at critical points on NH-44, particularly at vulnerable spots along the Ramban to Banihal stretch. The effort aims to ensure safe and smooth journey for commuters. The Deputy Commissioner also inspected the ongoing restoration work on NH-44 and urged drivers to maintain lane discipline, thus preventing traffic jams and ensuring a smooth flow of vehicles.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner took stock of the restoration work of link road Maroge-Balihot and issued necessary directions to concerned departments to expedite the restoration of all link roads and essential services. To support the workforce involved in restoration efforts, meals are being served to laborers at the free langar established by the District Administration under the guidance of DC Ramban. ACR and AD FCS&CA are actively monitoring these arrangements to ensure the smooth operation of the services.
In flood-affected areas, fumigation and smoke drives are being conducted to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure safety of public health. Assessment teams, along with field staff and Lambardar concerned, have visited the affected areas to assess the damages and losses, providing a comprehensive overview of the situation.
In a positive development, children are back at the Anganwadi Centres and students have resumed their classes in the affected areas, marking the restoration of normalcy in educational activities. Coordinated efforts by all departments are ongoing to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of affected families, with a focus on providing them with the support they need in these challenging times.
JAMMU: The People’s Hut Foundation and Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 25, 2025, to improve healthcare access and delivery in the region, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to benefit the community.
The MoU signing ceremony took place in Jammu and was signed in presence of representatives from both institutions. Dr. Harmeet Singh, Managing and Medical Director and Group Director – Emergency & Trauma at Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu, represented the Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity along with Mr. Ritvik Mahajan, Management Consultant and in presence of Mr. Dinesh Sharma, Marketing Head and Mr. Mehran Khan, Marketing Officer at Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu while as People's Hut Foundation was represented by Dr. Rohit Koul, Director and CEO and Dr. Ritu Koul, Director and COO, in presence of Advocate Meenu Padha, Legal Advisor and CTM at People’s Hut Foundation.
While speaking to media Dr. Rohit Koul said through this MOU, Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu and People's Hut Foundation will work together on various initiatives, including Organizing free medical camps to provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations and training the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in CPR and Emergency Support services. This partnership underscores the commitment of both Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu and People's Hut Foundation to improving the health and well-being of the community in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ujala Cygnus JK Medicity Jammu is a leading healthcare provider in the region, offering a wide range of medical services and committed to delivering quality care to its patients and People's Hut Foundation which is a registered national NGO dedicated to providing essential services, including healthcare, to underserved communities under its flagship initiative “Mobile Health Clinic Program”.
Dr. Harmeet Singh said that this partnership with People’s Hut Foundation marks a significant step in our commitment to providing better healthcare facilities to the underprivileged communities of the society who lack the basic healthcare facilities. Meanwhile Director and COO of People’s Hut Foundation Dr. Ritu Koul emphasized that this initiative sets a new benchmark in community healthcare and follows the principle of giving back to the society.
Meanwhile, Advocate Meenu Padha. Legal Advisor and CTM at People's Hut Foundation praised the collaboration between two Institutions. She also highlighted MoU's potential to not only provide advanced healthcare access but also pave the way for community societal development.
JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu under the leadership of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu concluded the valedictory ceremony of the EighthNurturing Future Leadership Program (NFLP) on 25thApril 2025 at its permanent campus, Nyaya Classroom, Vedanta, MDP Centre, Jagti. The program, organized under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, Ministry of Education, Government of India, reflects IIM Jammu’s commitment to fostering leadership in academia.
The five-day residential program, held from 21st April to 25th April 2025, equipped 18academicians from institutes across India with leadership, communication, and skill development insights. The curriculum, structured into four key themes, focused on leadership excellence, effective communication, skill enhancement, and recent government initiatives, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience through lectures, interactive workshops, group discussions, case studies, role-plays, and practical exercises.
Dr. Sanjeev Pathak, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy (EE &C), IIM Jammu, during the valedictory ceremony emphasized the value of collaborative learning in his address, stating, "All of us learn from each other. When wisdom is collected, it grows exponentially." He assured attendees that the feedback received would be diligently reviewed and utilized to enhance and refine the program for future iterations.
Dr. Kapil Gumte, Program Director, IIM Jammu, acknowledged the achievement of program objectives and the valuable networks established during your collaboration. He extended an invitation for your faculty members to visit IIM Jammu, emphasizing the potential benefits of such interactions. Additionally, he suggested that analysing case studies could further enrich the learning experience. He also mentioned about the possibility of future collaborations and the continued exchange of knowledge and ideas.
The valedictory ceremony also featured participant reflections, where they shared their key takeaways and expressed appreciation for the enriching learning experience. Certificates were distributed to all participants, marking the completion of the program.The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Sanjeev Pathak, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy, IIM Jammu. The event culminated with the national anthem.
The Nurturing Future Leadership Program under the Malaviya Mission continues to reinforce IIM Jammu’s role as a hub for leadership, innovation, and academic excellence, contributing to the national vision of empowering educators for a transformative impact on the education sector.
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